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Original poster

To not give any devices to child off school

138 replies

DancingHippos · 02/05/2025 07:44

DD age 12 is wanting to not go to school as she has had loose bowels 3 times in the last 12 hours. I am a bit suspicious as Friday is my day off work. However, she's probably telling the truth. She's doing well in school and had friends etc.
However I have an appointment that I need to go to and can't cancel - it was booked 4 months ago. She'll be fine by herself for 3 hours.
However I don't know if I should give her her ipad, allow her to watch TV- in other words just chill at home. She doesn't have a smart phone.
What is reasonable to do in these situations?

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 02/05/2025 07:56

You're going to be out of the house for three hours. How do you plan on stopping her watching TV whilst you're not there?

I'd give her some chores to do - dusting, whatever - and then she can watch TV/use ipad etc.

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 02/05/2025 07:56

NotSmallButFunSize · 02/05/2025 07:53

Just let her watch the TV FFS - why do so many people run their kid's lives like a boot camp?!

How would you feel if you were feeling rough and wanted a chill day with your favourite box set and someone banned the TV? She's hardly in need of silence and sleep all day to get over a bit of a dodgy tummy

This. I'm imagining being off work ill and DH coming in and saying "no TV or screens for you or you'll think it's more fun here than at work!". I'd be fuming and I'd imagine most MNers would in the same position.

Home is more fun than school. You aren't going to magically trick teenagers into believing otherwise by banning them from screens.

Mumof1andacat · 02/05/2025 07:55

Why do you feel she can't have the iPad?

Vatsallfolks · 02/05/2025 07:55

What a peculiar mindset. I’m assuming you have the normal parental controls on her devices and you believe she is genuinely unwell ? Then why the punishment tactics ? Also limiting screen time for a 12 year old ? How on earth are they going to learn to self regulate ? 3 or 4 maybe but 12 ?

Vatsallfolks · 02/05/2025 07:55

What a peculiar mindset. I’m assuming you have the normal parental controls on her devices and you believe she is genuinely unwell ? Then why the punishment tactics ? Also limiting screen time for a 12 year old ? How on earth are they going to learn to self regulate ? 3 or 4 maybe but 12 ?

NotSmallButFunSize · 02/05/2025 07:53

Just let her watch the TV FFS - why do so many people run their kid's lives like a boot camp?!

How would you feel if you were feeling rough and wanted a chill day with your favourite box set and someone banned the TV? She's hardly in need of silence and sleep all day to get over a bit of a dodgy tummy

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 02/05/2025 07:52

I don't understand the logic. Screens won't make her illness any worse?

Girasoli · 02/05/2025 07:50

Why can't she watch screens if she's got an upset stomach? I'd understand if she had a headache/migraine.

Oddsocksanduglyshoes · 02/05/2025 07:50

If she’s sick then she needs a rest, iPads and tv don’t give you a chance to genuinely rest they keep you awake and stop you switching off. So if sick, no gadgets as she needs rest and if skiving definitely no gadgets! So either way no gadgets.

DeathMetalMum · 02/05/2025 07:49

I'd allow her TV access but no Internet so no iPad.

We tend to limit screen time when dc are off school. Mainly so they don't think it's better than going to school and suddenly feel like they want days off just to chill out at home. Dd2 has definitely tried this with a sore tummy/headache.

IamnotSethRogan · 02/05/2025 07:48

Well i don't understand why you would introduce punishment tactics when she's ill. You either don't believe her ans send her to school or you do believe her.

ACatNamedRobin · 02/05/2025 07:47

Agree, don't give her any.

Sunnyglowdays · 02/05/2025 07:47

Why don’t you want her to have screen time?

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